Museum Quality

09.03.13

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Lloyd Vela, Ryan Chuston

THE PARTIES Culture vultures flocked to a pair of parties celebrating artist James Turrell, whose longstanding association with the city of Houston was on display at the back-to-back bashes at the Museum of Fine Arts and the Louis Vuitton boutique in the Galleria. THE SCENE Nearly 200 mingled with Turrell at the MFA, where his new The Light Inside exhibition of seven new installations would open soon. Dinner, provided by City Kitchen, was Texas-inspired—think tagliata beef tenderloin with arugula pesto—and enjoyed with a side of tunes by Divisi Strings. The party continued the following night at Louis Vuitton, where a private cocktail reception was held in Turrell’s honor. Turrell and wife Kyung sipped vino and chatted with patrons among the luxurious accessories displays. The artist has long featured the brand, especially its famous trunks, in his masterpieces.THE HIGHLIGHTS Turrell spoke at the MFA of his love of the city—he recently completed a major permanent installation on the Rice campus, as well—and of late Houston art philanthropist Isabel Brown Wilson, to whom his latest exhibition is dedicated. Photography by Jenny Antill